ILLEGAL FIREARMS: Court asks for defendants’ medical reports

Lagos—Justice Ayokunle Faji of a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos yesterday requested for the medical reports and health status of four out of five defendants that were arraigned before the court over alleged illegal firearms importation.

The defendants, who were docked before the court are Mahmud Hassan, Oscar Okafor, Donatus Achinulo, Matthew Okoye, said to be at large and Salihu Danjuma.

Judicial symbol

They were arraigned by the Federal Government on June 14 for allegedly importing 661 pump-action rifles into the country without lawful authority.

The defendants were docked on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy, importation of prohibited firearms, forgery, uttering of forged documents, and bribery, preferred against them by the Federal Government.

The judge directed authorities of the prison where the defendants were remanded to make the medical report available to the court before October 4, which is the next hearing in the case.

The directive followed the concern raised by the third defendant’s counsel, Mr. Paul Ananaba (SAN), as to his client’s health status.

Counsel to the second defendant, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), told the court that he had formally communicated to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation over the intention of his client to enter into a plea bargain with the Federal Government.

Justice Faji however adjourned the case till October 4 to await the response of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to the the plea bargain proposal by Jacob’s client and the medical reports on the defendants by the prison.